Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (TEACH)

The Florida Department of Education intends to award a sole source contract to Children's Forum, Inc. for the administration of the Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (TEACH) scholarship program, a statewide initiative aimed at increasing credentials, degrees, and compensation for early childhood educators, with the goal of reducing workforce turnover. The contract, valued at approximately $68 million over five years, is justified by Children's Forum’s status as the only licensed entity in Florida authorized to deliver the program since 1998. The procurement follows Florida statutes and administrative rules governing single source awards, specifically Rule 60A-1.045, F.A.C., and sections 120.57(3), 287.057(3), and 1002.95, F.S. The agreement includes amendments that expand funding in specific fiscal years, with the current expiration date set for June 30, 2026. The contract emphasizes program administration rather than tangible goods, with no specific packaging, labeling, or shipping requirements. It outlines the scope of work, which involves providing scholarships to early childhood caregivers and administrators to earn credentials such as CDA, Florida Staff Credential, associate or bachelor’s degrees, and master’s degrees in early childhood leadership. The performance location is the Florida Department of Education’s Tallahassee office, and the service area covers the entire state. The procurement process invites interested parties to submit a description of their ability to provide the services by September 11, 2025, via email to Roberta Lewis, with no specified proposal format or volume requirements. The contract’s structure is based on a single source justification, with no competitive evaluation criteria or award process detailed, reflecting the exclusive licensing and longstanding relationship with Children's Forum.